18 February 2018

Duke of Edinburgh

What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (D of E) has been popular at Oxford High School for many years. The Award is an extremely worthwhile scheme which offers girls the opportunity to both develop existing interests and acquire new skills in the four sections of the award: volunteering, physical activity, skill and expedition. It is a great preparation for leadership, resilience and independence.

The three enjoyable expedition weekends are run by an experienced outsider provider, Zest for Adventure. First the girls will do a training weekend which equips them with all the skills that they will need to complete their expeditions: map reading, navigation, camp craft, cooking on Trangias (fuel burning stoves) and emergency procedures. The first walk is fully accompanied by an instructor or member of OHS staff. On the practice and assessment expeditions the girls will walk in groups working together as a team. They will carry all that they need for the expedition in their rucksacks and navigate their way around a pre-planned route each taking their turn to lead the team.

The Bronze Award is started in Year 9 and the Silver Award in Year 10. Undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award is challenging, builds confidence and requires commitment as it takes about a year to complete.